Disclaimer: I don't own Detective Conan or Magic Kaito... do I look like I do? (Ah wait... no one can actually see me... but still...!)
Saturday.
"...Um... Shinichi...? Sempai...? Are you asleep...?"
The detective quickly snapped out of his daze.
"Ah, sorry about that Kaito. Just thinking about something."
"Please pay more attention next time... I was saying that a 'Megure-keibu' called for you... he's on the phone right now."
"Thanks, Kaito."
Shinichi quickly took the call.
"Hello? Megure-keibu? What's going on now..."
Still, something kept bothering him about yesterday. What was it? The case wasn't all that strange but...! And it really bothered him too, all the way throughout that day's study-date (which, for the first time, was being held in the detective's own home). History wasn't his worst subject, but he messed up way too often on Kaito's simple questions. And...
...what was this feeling growing in his heart?
Quickly, however, he stamped out such thoughts. Megure-keibu had a case for him. That was important. Everything else could wait.
"Kaito, I think I'll have to cut today's study session short. There's a case over at the library!"
The other boy looked somewhat disappointed.
"...Okay, Shinichi, do your best~! Make sure to stay safe... especially... with today's snow..."
"I won't be long; the thermostat's over by the door if you get cold. After that, do you want review more about Emperor Meiji, or...?"
"Yes...! I mean... if it's not a bother..."
"Ah well, I don't have much to do today. See you later."
"Come back soon..."
With that, Shinichi ran off to the library, rather glad that they didn't meet there that day. Two cases in two days (or even two on the same day) didn't faze the detective all that much, but it seemed that Kaito was another story. Strange, though... he didn't seem to be that sensitive last time they went to solve cases. Then did yesterday's events have some sort of personal connection?
For Shinichi, though, it reminded him of a story about a thief in white, a monocle, a crime ring like a murder of crows, and a legacy. Under the full moon, he had seen so much... it was too similar... and Hakuba's words...
Was his fellow detective's theory... correct? He didn't really ask Kaito about it yet, and if Kaito said 'no'...
...the detective wouldn't question it. But where had such blind trust come from?
When he got to the scene, the excitement of a mystery somehow failed to lighten his mood.
It was another story of a traitorous lover. One person who saw only money, failing to comprehend love in the process. Another one paid the price in blood. Such things happened daily, so why was he letting it get to him now?
He returned home exhausted.
"Ah... welcome back, Shinichi... what's wrong?"
"Just a bad case. Don't worry too much about it."
"...Do you still want some coffee, then, or are you going off to bed early?"
"I'll take coffee. Say, Kaito? Wait for a minute."
"Hmmm...?"
"Are you KID?"
"!"
"Oh, don't worry; it's not for Hakuba. It's just something I've been thinking about a lot recently, and I just wanted to hear it from you. I'll probably stop worrying about the matter if you tell me, so could you please...?"
"...Do you... trust me... that much...?"
"Somehow, yes. So, are you KID?"
"...No, I'm not. Don't say silly things like that, you were scaring me for a moment there~."
"Ah, as I thought. I'm sure you wouldn't lie to me the first time around, anyway. Sorry if I'm bothering you; it's just that today's case hit a little close to home."
"..."
"Well, then, what kind of coffee did you make? Oddly enough, I don't remember washing the dishes, sorry about that."
"Aoko taught me how to make black coffee... that's your favourite, right? I took care of that... but... I smashed a plate... sorry..."
"Thanks. You'd really make a good home maker, you know? The plate was probably bound to smash with how little I wash them."
"...Please don't say what I think your saying... honestly, food on plates can rot over time... reusing them..."
"Ran usually cleans up here, but she's gone off to see her lover. I've been pretty busy, too."
"Goodness, Shinichi...!"
Although their usual conversation and banter was accompanied by those habitual smiles, somehow Shinichi felt as if Kaito was in a world of his own that day.
And roses, petals growing heavier, seemed to melt into the moonlight; and softly, the reflected beams seemed to quiver.
AN: It's snowing today! Close to the middle of March! The sparkling, desolate, snow-covered landscape was so lovely this morning... although this really reminds me about how bad I am at sticking to a schedule... sorry about that. Yay, the plot's advancing... Kaito and his lies as well. I love overly complicated situations~.
Reviews are very much appreciated!